Role in IT decision-making process:Align Business & IT GoalsCreate IT StrategyDetermine IT NeedsManage Vendor RelationshipsEvaluate/Specify Brands or VendorsOther RoleAuthorize PurchasesNot Involved

Work Phone:

Company:

Company Size:

Industry:

Street Address

City:

Zip/postal code

State/Province:

Country:

Occasionally, we send subscribers special offers from select partners. Would you like to receive these special partner offers via e-mail?YesNo

Your registration with Eweek will include the following free email newsletter(s):News & Views

By submitting your wireless number, you agree that eWEEK, its related properties, and vendor partners providing content you view may contact you using contact center technology. Your consent is not required to view content or use site features.

By clicking on the "Register" button below, I agree that I have carefully read the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy and I agree to be legally bound by all such terms.

Wyse, Sun Push Desktop Virtualization Strategies

Wyse is announcing support for VMware's new View 4 and Citrix's new XenDesktop 4 desktop virtualization technologies, saying current and future Windows and ThinOS systems will support the offerings. Sun Microsystems is releasing the latest version of its Sun Ray Software, which gives customers the ability to use it with their Windows desktop and notebook PCs as alternatives to Sun Rays to access applications in virtualized environments. Sun Ray Software 5 also offers improved Adobe Flash performance.

Vendors are continuing to make their pushes into the burgeoning desktop virtualization space.

Two days after VMware unveiled the latest version of its View client virtualization technology, and a month after Citrix Systems announced its XenDesktop 4 offering, thin-client maker Wyse Technology is touting expanded partnerships with both companies.

Wyse officials on Nov. 10 announced that its existing thin clients and a new zero client will supportVMware's View 4, including its PCoIP (PC over IP), a display protocol licensed from Teradici that enables users to compress and encode the entire desktop experience-such as graphics and processing-in the data center, and then transmit it over a standard IP network. VMware officials said the protocol will improve the overall user experience while driving down costs and complexity.

Further reading

Wyse unveiled its P20 zero client, which officials said is the company's smallest stateless device designed specifically to take advantage of the protocol for rich media applications, such as 3D solid modeling, video editing and advanced simulations.

"With the introduction of the Wyse P class, we have successfully addressed many of the challenges in rolling out a client virtualization model to high-end specialty workers," Wyse CTO Curt Schwebke said in a statement. "Designers, scientists, architects, engineers and artists will be able to run their most sophisticated applications on a virtual client that uses as much energy as a small light bulb."

Wyse's existing devices will support PCoIP when View 4 is released Nov. 19. The vendor also will offer Linux and Wyse ThinOS clients with PCoIP support in the near future, officials said.

In addition, Wyse will offer support of View 4 in its Wyse PocketCloud software, enabling users of Apple iPhones to access a View 4 environment from the mobile device.

Wyse officials also announced that the company will support Citrix's XenDesktop 4 when it becomes available Nov. 16. Citrix unveiled its latest desktop virtualization offering Oct. 6, with officials saying it would help tie together the disparate elements of desktop virtualization under a single umbrella.

Wyse said its entire line of Windows Embedded and ThinOS devices is certified in the Citrix Ready Open Desktop Virtualization program, and certification for Linux and Windows CE thin-client devices will soon follow.

For its part, Sun is rolling out Sun Ray Software 5, which includes the new Sun Desktop Access Client. The new software feature enables customers to use their existing Windows desktop PCs or notebooks, rather than Sun Ray thin clients, to access data and applications in a desktop virtualization environment.

In addition, Sun Ray Software 5 comes with enhanced Adobe Flash performance for customers using Sun Rays or Sun Desktop Access Client-enabled PCs. Sun also is enabling users to deploy a larger number of USB devices-such as scanners and printers-on the Sun Ray technology.